Unit 2.

Identify the Various Components of Computer System

2.1 BAISC COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer is an electronic device that has devices to enter data, store data and process raw facts
and figures according to the given instructions and give the desired result on an output device.

Data: Data refers to raw facts and figures. For example, 123, “English”, etc.
Information: Information refers to processed data. For example, total marks and percentage of a
student.

2.2 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

A computer system comprises of hardware and software.

• Computer hardware – Physical parts of a computer such as Input devices, output devices,
central processing unit and storage devices are called computer hardware.
• Computer software – Software are the programs or applications that run on computer.
For example, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Operating systems, etc.

2.2.1 Computer hardware

The physical components of a computer system are called hardware. A computer basically consists of
following physical components:

• Input unit
• Processing unit
• Storage unit
• Auxiliary storage
• Output unit
<A> Input Devices

Input devices are used for

entering data or instructions
into the computer.

<B> The Central Processing Unit

(CPU)

The Central Processing Unit is

the brain of the computer
system.

Functions of Central Processing

Unit are:

• It controls the sequence of operations within the computer

• It gives commands to other parts of the computer
• It controls the use of main memory for storing data and instructions

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It consists of the following main units:

• Arithmetic and Logic unit (ALU)

• Control Unit (CU)
• Main Memory Unit
<C> Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

All the calculations and comparisons are done in this

unit.

The ALU performs all the following arithmetic

operations:

+ (addition)
- (subtraction)
*(multiplication)
/(Division)
^(Exponent)
The ALU also performs the following logical operations:
< (less than)
<(greater than)
<= (less than or equal to)
>= (greater than or equal to)
<> (not equal to)
<D> Control Unit

The control unit controls the flow of data from the input devices to memory and from memory to
output devices. It does not process the data.

When the processing begins, the first instruction of the program is selected and fed into the control
section of the primary storage area. It is then interpreted there and then the signals are sent to other
components to perform the necessary action.

The next instruction, is then selected, interpreted, and executed. This is continued till all the
instructions are processed.

<E> Registers

These are temporary storage areas found in CPU of modern computers.

2.2.2 Software

Software is a set of computer programs that perform a particular task.

Following are the categories of softwares:

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 Software

System Utility Application

Software Software Software

Operating Language General Customized

System Processors Purpose Software

Compiler Assembler Interpreter

<A> System Software

System software is a set of one or more programs designed to control the operation of a computer
system.

Operating systems and language processors come under the category of system software.

Operating System

Operating system is a master control program that runs the computer. When the computer is
switched on, operating system is the first program loaded into the computer’s memory.

Examples of operating system are Windows, UNIX, MS-DOS, Mac OS, Solaris, etc.

Language Processors

A computer understands instructions in the form of machine code, i.e., 0 and 1. The programs are
written in English like high level language called source code. The source code must be converted
into machine language in order to be executed. The translator program that is used to convert
source program written in high level language to machine code is called language processor. The
program translated into machine code is called the object program.

Language processor is of three types:

1. Assembler:- It is a program that translates an assembly language program into machine

language.
2. Compiler:-It is a program that translates a high-level language program into machine
language. For example C++ compiler.
3. Interpreter:-It is a program that translates a high-level language into machine language
program line by line. For example, Visual basic Interpreter.

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<C> Application Software

Application software is a computer program that is designed to perform a certain type of work.
This type of software pertains to one specific application. For example, software written to
calculate salary of the school employees cannot be used to prepare school result.

Application softwares can be classified as General purpose software and Specific purpose
application software.

General purpose application software includes word processing software, like, Microsoft Word.,
spreadsheet software, like, Microsoft Excel, etc.

Specific Purpose Application software

Specific purpose application software

are the softwares that perform a
particular task. Examples of specific
purpose application software are
Accounting management software,
Reservation system, Payroll system, etc.

<D> Utility Program

A utility program is used to perform

maintenance work on a system or on the
components of the computer.

Examples of Utility program are;- anti-

virus software, file management
programs, etc.

Antivirus software:- This program helps in detecting and removing viruses. For example, Norton
antivirus, McAffee virus scan, etc.

File management tools:-These tools help in storing, searching, and sorting files and folders on the
system. For example, Windows Explorer.

Compression:- This program helps in compression of large files so that they take less storage
space. For example, WinZip.

Disk Management Tools:- These programs include

• Disk Cleaner:-This utility scans for the files that have not been used since long. These files may
be occupying large amount of space. It prompts the user to delete such files to create more
disk space.
• Disk Defragmenter:-It rearranges the files and free space on the computer so that files are
stored in contiguous and free space is consolidated in one contiguous block. This speeds up
the disk access.

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• Backup:- backup means making a duplicate of the files and data stored on the computer. This
program is used to take backup copy of the data. In case the original data is lost, the backed
up data can be used.

Lets Try It

1. Discuss various components of a computer system.

2. List few hardware devices.
3. List names of few softwares.
4. Identify and name application software(s) installed in your computer.
5. Identify and name anti-virus software installed in your computer.
6. Identify few Utility softwares in your computer system.
7. Discuss different types of softwares.

Worksheet 1

1. What is the difference between system software and application software?

2. Name any three disk management tools.
3. Name the program that rearranges the files and folders in the computer system.
4. Give example of file management tool.
5. Name the types of language processors.

Worksheet 2

1. Give full form of the following:

a. ALU
b. CU
c. CPU
2. Name the unit of computer that controls the flow of data from input device to memory.
3. Name logical operations that can be performed in ALU.
4. Identify the following arithmetic operations:
a. *
b. ^
c. /
5. Which unit of computer is called the brain of the computer?
6. Identify as hardware or software.
Monitor
MS Word
Operating system
Mouse
Keyboard
MS PowerPoint
7. Differentiate between hardware and software.
8. What is the difference between data and information/
9. Name the unit of computer where arithmetic operations are performed.
10. Name any three input devices.

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2.3 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MEMORY

The storage unit consists of the following components:

• Primary storage
• Temporary Storage
2.3.1 Primary Storage

The primary storage is also called the primary memory. It is directly accessible by the CPU. It can be:

• RAM (Random Access Memory)

• ROM (Read Only Memory)
Functions of primary memory are:

• Here data is fed and held until it is ready to be accessed.

• It is used to hold the data being processed and the intermediate results of processing.
• It holds the result of the processing.
• It holds the processing instructions.
<A> Memory Units

Units of computer memory are:- Bit (Binary Digit), Byte (Kilobyte, Megabyte, GigaByte, TeraByte,
PetaByte, ExaByte, ZettaByte, YottaByte)

The elementary unit of memory is a bit. A group of 4 bits is called a nibble and a group of 8 bits is
called a byte.

One byte is the minimum space required to store one character.

1 Byte = 8 bits

One kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes

One Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB = 1024 x 1024 bytes

One Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB =1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes

One Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB = 1024 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes

One petabyte (PB) = 1024 TB=1024 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes

One ExaByte (EB)=1024 PB=1024 x 1024 x1024 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes

One ZettaByte (ZB)=1024 EB)= 1024 x 1024 x 1024 x1024 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes

<B> Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM is used to hold active information of data and instructions. Information in RAM is stored in
random order, that is why it is known as Random Access Memory.

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It is a temporary memory. When power supply is switched off, the information stored in RAM is lost,
so it is also known as volatile memory.

It is also known as read/write memory as information can be read from RAM and also written onto it.
Information stored in RAM may be erased or written over.

<C> Read-Only memory (ROM)

ROM is a part of computer’s main memory. It is used to store the instructions provided by the
manufacturer to check basic hardware and to load operating system from appropriate storage device.

The storage of data and instructions in ROM is permanent until it is written over.

The contents of the ROM are not lost when power supply is switched off. That is why, ROM is called
non-volatile memory.

2.3.2 Secondary Storage

Since the computer’s main memory stores the data and information temporarily, the secondary
memory is used. Secondary memory is sued to store bulk of information.

The information stored in secondary memory is not lost, so it is also a non-volatile memory. These
devices are non-volatile as data is stored in these devices till it is deleted.

Secondary storage devices include hard disk, CD, DVDs, Pen drive , etc.

2.4 INPUT, OUTPUT AND STORAGE DEVICES

<A> Input devices

Input devices are used for entering data or

instructions into the computer.

Another most important device that is

commonly used is the computer mouse. It is a
pointing device that is used to point to an
object or menu option on the computer
screen. It can also be used to open a document
or a software. Mouse can also be used to move
the selected object by using drag-and-drop
method.

Scanners are another important hardware devices that are used to convert a picture or text in a book
or page in a digital form.

<B> Output Devices

The output unit comprises of devices such as Monitor, Printer, speaker, etc. to display information to
the user.

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<C> Storage Devices

All computers have a hard disk drive installed in them. It is used to

store files of Operating system, softwares and other files. A
computer cannot function without this installed hard disk drive.

Nowadays, external hard disk drives

are used to take backup of data on the
computer. External hard disk drives are available in different sizes and
storage capacity. These are potable and can be moved from one place
to another easily.

Lets Try It

1. Discuss different secondary storage devices, their uses and their storage capacities.
2. Name a few external storage devices.
3. Discuss various output devices and their uses.

Worksheet

1. Give full form of the following:

a. RAM
b. ROM
2. Which memory- RAM or ROM is called the volatile memory and why?
3. Name the parts of primary memory.
4. What is one byte?
5. Complete the following:
a. 1 KB= ___________Bytes
b. 1 GB = _____________ bytes
6. Arrange in increasing order of storage capacity.
TB, MB, GB, KB, Byte
7. Name the memory which is also known as read/write memory.
8. Name few output devices.
9. Write three functions of primary memory.
10. Name the elementary unit of memory.

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